$5M investment transforms 100 learning spaces

School Specialty and the College Football Playoff Foundation have completed their 100th learning space transformation, marking a milestone for a partnership that has now invested more than $5 million into school makeovers nationwide. The latest project, a media center renovation at North Dade Middle School in Miami, wraps up a round of updates tied to the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship, which Miami will host in January.

Miami-Dade schools see biggest share of makeovers ahead of title game

The CFP Foundation committed to delivering more than 30 Extra Yard Makeovers alongside School Specialty across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. With this batch, the foundation has helped enrich learning environments in every Miami-Dade middle school.

“Changing our middle school libraries into modern learning spaces has had a tremendous impact on engagement and learning outcomes,” said Dr. Jose L. Dotres, superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. He described the transformations as an investment in teachers and students. “These new innovative spaces support hands-on learning so students can develop greater curiosity and lifelong skills.”

The makeovers vary widely. Past projects turned static rooms into flexible furniture setups, added technology, supplies, and fresh paint or murals. School Specialty’s Projects by Design process includes consultations to decide what kind of space — STEM lab, broadcast classroom, library, media center, makerspace, teachers lounge, wellness room, sensory room, multi-purpose room, esports room, or even a mariachi room — best fits each school.

Nicole Fama, executive director at Phalen Leadership Academies, which got a makeover in 2024, said the renovated media center became the community hub. “Before, we lacked a space that truly supported community,” she said. “Now everything happens here — senior breakfasts, college athlete signing days, family game nights, teacher appreciation events. It’s become the heart of our community.”

Physical space as a tool against teacher burnout

Jeremy Westbrooks, director of strategic account development at School Specialty, argued the physical classroom is an educator’s primary tool. “Addressing teacher burnout and maximizing student engagement starts with the physical environment,” he said. By modernizing these spaces, they give teachers a resource to stay focused on student growth.

Some education researchers caution that while improved facilities help, they don’t address deeper issues like pay, staffing shortages, or curriculum demands. Still, the partners say the makeovers are one tangible step schools can take quickly.

Britton Banowsky, executive director of the CFP Foundation, credited School Specialty’s design expertise. “Their incredible generosity makes it possible for us to turn vision into impact for teachers and students,” he said.

Bowl games, conference partners, sponsors and host committees from each national championship have also supported the initiative. To date, makeovers have taken place in 18 states across 58 counties.

The mariachi room, one of the more unusual spaces created, reflects the variety of requests schools have made.

Overall, the partnership shows how sports-led philanthropy can funnel money into school infrastructure, even if the long-term effects on student outcomes remain hard to measure. For now, the 100 transformed spaces stand as physical proof of concept. Interactive solutions are a smarter investment for schools seeking similar upgrades.